Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
It is important to read today’s Gospel and next week’s Gospel as two parts of a single story. These readings are a turning point in Matthew’s Gospel. This week we hear Jesus’ name Simon Peter as the rock upon which he will build his Church. Next week we will hear Jesus call this same Simon Peter “Satan” when he reacts negatively to Jesus’ prediction about his passion and death.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks his disciples what people are saying about his identity. The disciples indicate that most people believe that Jesus is a prophet of Israel. Then Jesus asks his disciples who they believe that he is. Simon Peter answers, identifying Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God.
Jesus commends Simon Peter for this profession of faith, indicating that this insight has come from God. Because of Simon Peter’s response, Jesus calls him the “rock” upon which Jesus will build the Church. This is a word play on the name Peter, which is the Greek word for “rock.” Peter is then given special authority by Jesus, a symbolic key to the Kingdom of Heaven. Peter will play an important role in the early Christian community as a spokesperson and a leader.
In today’s Gospel, Peter’s recognition of Jesus’ identity is credited to a revelation by God. This will contrast sharply with Jesus’ rebuke of Peter in next week’s Gospel. When Peter rejects Jesus’ prediction of his passion and death, Peter is said to no longer be thinking as God does but as humans do.
The use of the term church in today’s Gospel is one of only three such occurrences in Matthew’s Gospel. Peter in this Gospel is being credited as the foundation for the Church, a privilege granted to him because of his recognition of Jesus’ identity. The Church continues to be grounded in the faith that Jesus Christ is Lord. (source Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A.
Oblates Retreat – 20 August to 26 August
The Oblates will be on Retreat in Melbourne from Sunday 20th August to Saturday 26th August. Masses on Sunday 20th August will be celebrated by Fr Francis Ughanze and Mons. Michael Keating. Unfortunately, the 8.15am Mass at St Anne’s will be cancelled for that weekend. Masses during the week will be celebrated by Fr Anthony Colbert. The Oblates will be back to celebrate Masses on Sunday 27th August 2023. Let us keep all the Oblates from the Australian Province in our prayers during their Retreat.
Annual Father’s Day Hot Rod Show
Every year the St Patrick’s Primary School hold their Father’s Day Hot Rod Show. This year it will be held on Sunday 3rd September 2023, from 8am to 3pm. Please plan ahead as there will be excess cars around the Basilica and parking maybe a problem.
Parish Morning Tea
The next parish morning tea will be held on Sunday 3rd September 2023 after the 8am Mass in the presbytery carport. All Welcome.
Our Lady of Tindari (Black Madonna)
The celebrations for Our Lady of Tindari will commence with Triduum on Wednesday 6th, Thursday 7th and Friday 8th September with Rosary at 7pm followed Mass. The Feast Day Mass will be celebrated on Sunday 10th September with 9.30am Italian Mass followed by morning tea in the Parish Centre. All Welcome.
Senior’s Morning Tea
The next Senior’s Morning Tea will be held on Monday 18th September at 10am in the Parish Centre. All senior’s welcome.
Relics of St John Bosco
The relic statue of St John Bosco, better known as Don Bosco, will be touring Australia as part of the celebrations of the centenary of the arrival of the Salesians on Australian soil. The Salesians came to the shore of Australia on 30th March 1923 in Fremantle, Western Australia.
The Basilica will host the relics of St John Bosco on Monday 18th September 2023. The relics will arrive in the Basilica at 11.45am just in time of the Midday Mass and the relics will remain in the Basilica until 3pm. We invite all parishioners to come and visit the relics while they are in the Basilica. Come and share in this wonderful experience.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Talks
On the weekend of 23rd/24th September we will welcome speakers from Worldwide Marriage Encounter who will talk during the homily on Saturday 6pm Vigil, Sunday 8am, 11am & 5pm Masses.
Weekday Masses – Readers Required
If you regularly attend weekday Midday Masses on Mondays and Fridays and can assist with reading during the Masses, please see Joan Swindell’s.
Please return your Catholic Mission donation envelopes either via the parish office or the collection plate before the end of August. Thank You
Planned Giving
The Planned Giving Programme is an important part of the Parish and assists us to maintain all aspects of the Basilica, Presbytery and Parish Administration Centre. To keep the Parish viable, we must maintain a target of 95% and above each week. Last week giving was 55%.
Please consider joining the Planned Giving Programme. For more information contact the Parish Office. Thank you!
EFT First Collection Details
BSB: 086 006
A/c No: 56187 5405
Reference: 1st Collection and your name
First Collection supports the Priests.
EFT Second Collection Details
BSB: 066 107
A/c No: 0080 0216
Reference: 2nd Collection and your name
Second Collection supports the Parish.
Regarding Masks
Masks are not mandatory; however, masks are encouraged where physical distancing is not possible if you have cold & flu symptoms, or you wish to safeguard yourself from the COVID-19 virus.
Safeguarding of our children in the Parish
The Archdiocesan Safeguarding Project was started in 2016 by Archbishop Timothy Costello SDB with the aim of providing a safe and secure environment for all its members, leaders and especially children and vulnerable adults. The parish of St Patrick’s Basilica is committed to creating a safe parish.
COMING EVENTS
Friday 1st September
Pasta Night
Sunday 3rd September
Father’s Day
Parish Morning Tea
SPPS Hot Rod Show
Sunday 10th September
Our Lady of Tindari Feast Day
Monday 18th September
Seniors Morning Tea
Relics of St John Bosco
Weekend 23rd/24th September
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Talks